Simulator shows why not to drink and drive Published Sept. 18, 2008 By Danielle Gregory Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- The Air Force is always encouraging its members to be better wingmen. The Tinker Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office will be hosting the "Save-A-Life" Tour interactive drunk driving simulator, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at Bldg. 230 Dock 2. "The 'Save-A-Life' Tour is visiting 35 Air Force bases across the country. The tour goal is to help change in attitude and behavior through awareness, while deglamorizing alcohol use in the areas of DUI/DWI, underage drinking, and alcohol-related fatalities," said Mildred Fitch, licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. Military, civilian and dependents of the Tinker community will have the opportunity to learn ways to save a life with something as simple as a right decision. The "Save-A-Life" Tour allows a participant to experience first-hand how alcohol impairs driving while the participants remain sober and stationary. The simulator includes a driver's seat and three screens that provide a 180-degree field of vision and images in rear-view mirrors. It gradually changes response times, mimicking the dulling effects of alcohol. "Our goal in this is to increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving and reduce the number of DUIs we get here at Tinker," said George Parker, ADAPT program manager. The simulator shows sober participants the effects alcohol has on driving. A majority of drivers who take on the simulator have accidents caused by narrowing of focus and trouble concentrating on what is directly in front of them and ignoring dangers around them. There will be two briefings scheduled for 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. that will focus on alcohol awareness, drunk driving, safe driving, myths and truths about alcohol and drugs. "We're glad the tour is coming. Anything we can do as a prevention effort to deter drinking and driving, we are all for it," said Sally Smith, licensed alcohol and drug abuse counselor. "Tinker has had 20 DUIs since January of this year. We are very fortunate to have this opportunity for the tour to stop here at Tinker to help in our efforts to reduce DUI incidents." For questions, contact the Tinker Air Force Base ADAPT office at 739-7141 or a first sergeant.